New Castle - Richard N. Boatner, 72, of East Edgewood Avenue, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, at his residence in New Castle.

He was born April 16, 1953, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Harry and Juanita (Ponder) Boatner Sr.

He was a United States Army veteran, serving in Desert Storm as a sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.

He then retired as a counselor from YDC.

Richard was a 1971 graduate of Farrell High School and attended Florida A&M University.

He enjoyed playing chess and shooting pool, was a sports fan, especially basketball, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

He is survived by three children, Marlon Boatner of Youngstown, Ohio, Camilla Boatner of New Castle and Quincy Boatner (Melissa Boatner) of New Castle; seven grandchildren; one sister, Beverly Johnson (Fred Johnson); one brother, Gary Boatner; one brother-in-law, Levon Barlow Sr.; sister-in-law, Audrey Boatner; his former spouses, April Lee and Agneta Grahan; his companion, Regina Griffin, and her five children for whom he loved and cared; one aunt, Carol Ponder; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins; and several close friends by whom he will be sadly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Boatner Jr.; and one sister, Marcia Barlow.

Friends will be greeted from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, March 20, 2026, at Friendship Baptist Church, 339 Spearman Ave., Farrell, PA 16121. A funeral service will be held at noon at Friendship Baptist Church. Pastor Michael Marshall will officiate, with Pastor Jeanette Hubbard as the eulogist. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Ave. Online condolences can be offered at www.williamrogerdecarbo.com.